Project 4 Art Curator Slideshow

I started out my brainstorming for my exhibit by thinking about what is going on around me at the current moment. By thinking of what I feel right now and what I see I got a clear view of what I wanted to focus on. Thanksgiving just passed, Christmas is coming just around the corner. People always say how easy it is to put on weight during the holidays because of all of the treats and meals and desserts being shared. It is quite ironic that even on a day where we are supposed to be giving thanks for what we have, people make it a point to over-consume. We get as stuffed as the turkey we cook and then move on to the next holiday wanting more. Gluttony/Greed is one of the 7 deadly sins, meaning it is a sin to take more than you need, to become gluttonous and greedy is not a good quality, yet it has taken over society now to the point where the more people have, the more they want to show that off and gloat at the idea. Being obese has become such a widespread problem because nobody seems to have control anymore. The title of my exhibit is going to be "HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO". The actual meaning of the original quote, "You cant have your cake and eat it too" is that you can not simultaneously have your cake and eat it as well, because once you eat it, it is gone. In this exhibit, my goal is to pull in the idea that people no longer understand that, they think "It's my cake, and I want it all!" and then some.
I began my search for works of art by exploring painting of cake, which Wayne Theibaud has many. I chose the one that I feel best describes my them to be the star of the show. This painting is an entire white frosted cake, topped with a strawberry, surrounded by 8 plates, which each have as slice of this same cake on them. This perfectly pulls my theme into the exhibit. There is your cake, and you can eat it too, without taking a single cut out of the cake itself.
I continued to search for paintings and other works of art that display an enormous amount of foods that can easily be seen as too much. I also included Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, because when I look at this, I see too much. There is 32 cans of soup, in all the varieties available, taking up quite a bit of space of a wall to be displayed. It may seem as though this piece doesn't quite fit in my exhibit, but when you look at it how I am, it should make sense to you. It has to do with the idea that one can of soup should be enough, but here we have 32, much more than any one person needs.
I end my exhibit with paintings and panels of art showing people experiencing gluttony first hand, rather than looking at the food alone, it is helpful to see the act of overindulging and what it causes.
I would put all of these pieces together in room with dark grey walls, and dim spot lighting shining on each piece so that they stand out within a dark space. The darkness comes from the idea of sin and greed. Red would be an accent color, for the title of the exhibit and some other minor details. Red representing death and negativity, which is a direct result of gluttony in food.
My hopes with this exhibit is to help people understand that you only need so much. There is no need to over-do it and be a glutton. If you have more than you need, give to those in need and you will be returned with the gift of a healthier, happier life that is much more fulfilling rather than simply overfilling.

Module 12 Video Blog

The two videos I selected were Andy Warhol: Images of an Image and Uncertainty: Modernity and Art. The reason why I chose two videos was because they portray and speak about a mass culture and the separation from it.

In the video about Andy Warhol we see an artist who wants to portray life in the 1960’s which was a lot of consumerism by the masses. Through the Ten Lizes, an image of the actress Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol uses an original photograph of Elizabeth Taylor and creates ten images of this photograph as if they were the negative of the original. He takes pictures of the picture. By doing this he created 10 unique images in a way because no image is the same as the one that came before. In the video, Uncertainty: Modernity and Art, the concept that modern art tells us that something broke 100 years ago cannot be put together again. This breakage has created a feeling of uncertainty. Art in the early 19^th century used to tell us the identity of a group or movement in society. The uncertainty started with us wanting to break away of mass culture, and in the process, we lost ourselves.

The textbook is different from the videos because it focuses on defining the different styles and movements that protested against consumerism. The videos speak more directly about human identity, where the book explains about the historical factors and other different movements.

The films were eye opener, specially the Uncertainty: Modern and Art. The reason why is because it really makes me think about why did we, as a society, and as individuals, break away from mass culture 100 years ago, as far as art goes. The reason why we lost that is because many artists refused to continue to master the basics of art, like how it was in the renaissance time. Everyone wanted to be their own person and create their own art that they forgot about where they came from and what used to inspire those before them.

Module 11 Video Blog

The two videos that I selected were Dada & Surrealism and The Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present. The reason I selected both of these videos, is because some of the artists in them were alive around the same time period, however different movement/styles were being used.

In the video Dada & Surrealism, one of the movements that Kurt Schwitters and Hanna Hoch used among many other Dadaist was called Dada. Kurt Schwitter’s style consisted of collages. At first, he did not consider himself a Dadaist, however, around the 1950’s he revived the movement through his works of art. One of the reasons he used collages, was because with this he didn’t have any limitations as far as the kind of materials he used and how they could be used. Another Dadaist, Hanna Hoch, had an understanding that Dada was more of a state of mind and that it could be use as weapon to attack society. In the Mystical North: Spanish Art from the 19^th Century to the Present video, it mentioned various Spanish artists, like Antoni Gaudi, Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso and others. The video speaks about the black paintings of Goya that he created after the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808. These paintings are known for the dark content in them. Goya, during this invasion, saw mass murder, rape, and torture, among many other things that would cause a psychological change in a human being. Antoni Gaudi uses the Familia Sagrada cathedral to portray his religious beliefs.

One thing that the textbook describes and made very clear, is the difference between the Dada movement and Surrealism. Dada influenced the creation of Surrealism, since it came out the movement. Surrealism is not a movement but a way of life. Surrealist’s focus themselves in the understanding and logic of dreams, the mysteries of the unconscious, the complexity of what is bizarre, irrational, incongruous, marvelous as well as the understanding of it. Dada is a form of an artist protest movement.

One thing that I noticed about the films is that each video contains a form of criticism, either to society or to the religious attachment to the work of art. The movements mentioned in the films are what appears to have some sort of darkness in them due to the notion of how they came to be works of art.

Module 11 Art Gallery Visit #2

The Exhibition

Enough Killing

Theme of exhibit: Throughout history humans have killed each other. Gun safety and the realities of how many people are killed and the fact that we need to take responsibility for what is happening to not only people as a whole, but in particular to people of color.

The Artwork

Spot lighting is used throughout this space. The space itself is dim, with lights only shining on each piece of art along the neutral grey walls and the main piece in the middle of the room. The lighting on the main piece creates a shadow effect on the floor and helps to illuminate the brass and copper metal of the bullets that make up the piece. This really helps to showcase this artwork how it was intended to be seen. The walls appear to be basic drywall construction, the spotlights are mounted along a large metal frame across the ceiling. When you first approach the room where is exhibit is located, there is large wording saying Enough Killing! in black letters on a white door. In front of this is a work of art that is made to look like an all white video camera. When you enter the open door, there is a set of pieces that are all white. First, is supposed to be a ticket machine, like those in delis, where you would take a number and wait. Behind this is two more of the "video cameras" facing in at a "guillotine". Along the walls are numerous other framed prints and canvas artworks. In the center of the room is the main piece, by Robert Longo (b. 1953) titled Death Star, 1993. Made of 18,000 brass and copper bullets; steel armature, diameter of sphere: 36 inches; steel armature: 98 x 120 inches.as you walk through you are drawn to each area of the exhibit individually, focusing on one thing at a time.

The Gallery

The artworks in the Burchfield Penney Art Center are organized much differently than those in the Albright Knox Art Gallery. They are organized into divided areas of focus with very cool architecture throughout, such as, rounded walls and protruding walls that add definition and a fun way to display. each area has similarly themed piece of art, or art of a particular artist. The artworks differ by having many different materials used, artifacts, paintings, sculptures, fabrics and more. Each piece of artwork is displayed or framed in a way that helps to best showcase it, whether the room be brighter or darker, the frame simple or very fancy and detailed. All of the artworks are labeled with the artist, title, date and a description of the media used to create it and how the gallery received it. Some things are in display cases and they have numerous things listed and labeled all together. There are pieces throughout that are untitled as well. Each piece of art is displayed with enough space between each piece to allow you to appreciate them individually, but close enough that you understand which are displayed in conjunction with one another throughout a particular theme that is noted in the area. 

Art Criticism

Charles M. Kurtz 1855-1909

Here Lies The Past 1878

oil on canvas

Burchfield Penney Art Center, Charles M. Kurtz Trust 1991

This piece is fairly small, about 2" with the frame included

In this painting you will see a skull on the upper left, face to face with a large black rat. Below the skull is a large opened book with a deep red, cloth bookmark and intricately detailed large scrolled letter P and S. There is another, smaller book to the right and a box just below the face of the rat. The frame of this piece is intricate and gold, with many 3D layers that appear to make the painting look like it is in the distance.

Value was used in this painting, there is a black background, that the rat almost disappears or hides in. The book and the skull are light in color so they stand out more, which brings me to emphasis. Your eyes are drawn to the skull and the book first and then you notice the rat. Color is used, in the colors of the book and bookmark, causing that to pop out at you. Line and shape, making the shape and pages of the books detailed and noticeable.

I get a very strong pirate feeling overall feeling from this painting. Here lies the past, the title makes me think pirate as well as the skull and rat.

Overall, I believe the artist was trying to say that we all have a long past, like the books, with many stories and details, we all have skeletons in our closets as well as dark times and memories, which is where the rat comes in. Our lives, our stories, are full of so many details, and it should be seen as valuable no matter how much negative it may hold, which is where I feel the grand gold frame with its many layers of depth to it, is the same as our lives.

Edith Lunt Small 1931-2017

The Entry of Christ Into Manhattan, 1982

acrylic on board

Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of the Artist 2015

Medium sized

In this painting you see a street view of the absolute chaos that is Manhattan in New York City. There are people everywhere, both good and evil, all consumed by money and life. There are people performing, people protesting, a man running naked, people stealing from others, a bus packed full of animals, little small men dressed like Santa Claus all over and there is what appears to be the devil watching happily as all of this goes on. There is so much going on it is hard to take it all in, honestly, which is true of New York City, but in the distance you can see a bright white and yellow light coming down with angels and a white horse carrying Jesus on his back and landing right in the middle of all of this chaos.

The use of color is very clear here, there are so many different colors, all symbolic in their own ways. The use of line and shape to create the buildings, cars, people and more. Contrast, where the bright yellow and white lighting is coming down into this otherwise darker colored painting. Proportion, making the buildings appear to be so big in proportion to the people, allowing you to be easily aware that this is supposed to be New York City.

The woman in the front portion of the painting who is surrounded by a red color, has red around her eyes, a black outfit, and appears calm and seems to be enjoying the chaos, is supposed to represent evil, or the devil in this case. The white and yellow light coming down from the sky, is representative of angels and Jesus coming down from heaven to help save these people from the evil that is taking over. 

I think the artist was trying to say that Manhattan was filled with people, being overcome by greed and the evils of the world, and that Christ needed to be brought into their lives to bring hope and change to save them from themselves.

Jonathan Rogers

Maybe This Time It's The Angel Of Death from the Little Dancer series 1990-2006

oil on canvas

Courtesy of the artist

Medium sized

In this painting you can see mostly everything is the color red. There is a small portion of a red floral wall to the left, there a little boy blends in, in an effort to hide. There is a staircase in the center with a black railing extends to the right side against another small portion of red floral wall. Floating down the staircase, away from the boy, is a white lighted angel.

Color and contrast is used, emphasizing the red color of the space, and the bright white and yellow of the angel. Lines and shape making up the staircase and the walls.

I feel like the angel is a clear representative of just that. I also feel that the red and black that this little boy is hiding is a a representation that his life is dark and scary.

The title of the piece is Maybe This Time It's The Angel Of Death, tries to make you question whether or not this angel is a good angel or something different. I believe that this little boy is suffering in his life, whether he lives in fear or sadness, he does not appear to be happy. This angel coming into his house at night seems to be there to watch over him somehow, but because of the title and the way hes hiding, it is as if he hopes she is there this time to take his life to relieve his pain and suffering.

I really enjoyed my experience at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Looking at the exhibitions through the perspective I did, by paying attention to the space as a whole, noticing how they use the lighting and colors of the walls to help create the exhibit what it is meant to be allowed me to have a whole new appreciation for it. 

Module 10 Video Blog

Module 10 Video Blog

Videos watched: 1. Buddhism and 2. Hinduism

1.      The historical facts explain that there is a relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism. Sri Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha or the enlightened one, was originally born from India as a prince. As a prince, he was not aware that outside of the palace there was suffering, pain, sadness, and more going on until one day that he went out to see what life was like outside of the palace and came across all of these things. Due to this he went out on a journey to find the meaning of life and everything that truly comes with it. When he was a prince, he was a believer of Hinduism and once he achieved enlightenment or nirvana, he went against it. This connection that exists between these two beliefs is worth exploring.

2.      In Buddhism the architecture like pillars, temples, and walking paths each contain the Buddhist teachings engraved in them as a reminder and a guide to those who chose to follow that path. Each structure has a story to tell. The Great Stupa is the most famous structure among the other architectural structures because it was built where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. In Hinduism, which is also from India, the city of Varanasi is the oldest city containing historical monuments going back in history more than 3000 years. The river, Ganges, surrounds these monuments and is a symbol of cleansing for the Hindu believer about reincarnation. Each Hindu temple has different gods and their structure and design are built around the concept of that god.

3.      The textbook explains in further detail about Buddhism and its founder, Buddha, that this structure is representation, of what those who want to be awakened most, follow to obtain it. The textbook also explains that Hinduism architectures are not just a symbol of worship, but they also used to be a place of sacrifices.

4.      Both films were very educative, however, I noticed that there is a major difference between both Hinduism art and Buddhism art structures. In Hinduism there is no sense of obtaining peace through the temple, it seems that it focuses on achieving a better afterlife. In Buddhism, there seems to be a gaining of peace while achieving enlightenment in this life.

Module 10 Mask Making

This animal mask of the Amazon Indians was used as an inspiration for the creation of my own mask because of the addition of "hair" coming off of the mask.

The use of contrast here really draws your eyes to the texture and color of the hair and to the shape of the face, appearing to have the animal ears sticking up above the eyes, through the use of line. There is very little color and a limited amount of detail which does not allow for much of a pattern, but the use of contrast, line, texture and also form are obvious. You can not see it in the front view of the mask, but the nose is formed and protrudes outward into a round shape with a hole through the middle. 

This parade mask from the Devils of Yare, made in Northern Venezuela was an inspiration to my own mask creation because it is similar to the masks we make in my home country of the Dominican Republic. I took from this, the use of multiple colors and the use of paint.

This mask has a very clear use of pattern, contrast and color throughout the entire design. Both sides are made to be almost perfectly symmetrical, although the shape differs slightly because it is hand made. There is also a clear use of line, repetition and form, in how the horns, ears, nose and mouth all have a 3 dimensional shape to them. and the small repetitive lines throughout.

This Mexican day of the dead mask was an inspiration to the creation of my own mask because of its use of circular patterns throughout.

This mask uses pattern, color, form, line, repetition, rhythm, shape, contrast all in one very clean and symmetrical design. the use of the different bright and dark colors through make each section stand out on its own, while flowing together perfectly. The details in the circular designs draw your eyes from one area to the next, noticing more and more detail the longer you look at this piece.

My sketches

My Mask

I focused on using color with the bright colored paints of the face, line with the black lines outlining and separating the colors from each other, pattern by creating a somewhat symmetrical design from one side to the other, texture by the use of the crinkled paper hair, contrast through the use of color as well as black and white, and lastly shape is used by creating different shapes within the design. There is a rhythm to the use of the various designs and details such as the gems.

My overall opinion of my mask is that it turned out well, it is bright and makes me feel happy when I look at it, whereas many of the masks I saw through research were kind of frightening or freaky. I enjoyed making the mask, but I will be buying new paint brushes as i have realized the ones i have are not very good.I accidentally hot glued on the one "ear" too high but wasn't able to remove it and change it so the symmetry I was aiming for was slightly thrown off.